Statement for Members

The recent outbreak, and aggressive spread of COVID-19, has enforced some very difficult decisions on those of us who have been tasked with dealing with this issue.  We want to outline some of the matters outstanding and help provide some clarity.

Please be assured that all these decisions have been made in the interests of our staff, members, visitors, wider community, and in the interests of Cushendall Golf Club.  None of these decisions have been taken lightly, and in all cases we have followed the guidelines laid down by ILGU/GUI and the relevant authorities.

We’re sure that you, like all of us, will be missing our golf and related activities but we must remember that this is in the best interests of everyone involved.  We would like to thank all of our members for the patience and understanding they have shown during this difficult time.  We all look forward to a time when we can get back to some kind of normality.

Unfortunately this difficult period will continue for at least the 3 weeks of closure imposed by the authorities on Monday evening, and we would ask that you continue to show your support.  The Club will still continue to operate and our costs will continue to be due as normal.

The uncertainty throws up many questions and we attempt to deal with these as follows :

• Staff – we have “furloughed” the Bar and cleaning staff and closed the building which means these staff will continue to receive an income via the government scheme for employed who are unable to attend work or work from home.  Our office has been temporarily moved to Bronagh’s home to enable her to work from home, however please note that it will not be acceptable to go to Bronagh’s house in any circumstance in relation to Golf Club business.  As we have the phone diverted to her house you may phone her on the normal number 02821771318 during her working hours of 10 am to 2 pm Monday to Thursday. The Green staff will continue to work (albeit apart) to maintain the course to ensure that this is ready for full use just as soon as we can open again. We are grateful to our staff for their understanding and fantastic assistance during all of these difficult times.
• Golfing Matters – the course has been closed to all golfing related activities, including the practice area, and we have temporarily closed BRS for bookings.
• Membership Payments – we would ask that membership payments are made/maintained as normal, where possible. With the office being currently closed the fees can be paid in the following ways, by cheque via post to the Golf Club address or by online banking using the Club’s Sort Code and account number (available from Bronagh on the golf club number 02821771318 during her working hours of 10 am to 2 pm Monday to Thursday) making sure that you use your membership number from the back of your card as your reference. We are currently working on a solution to enable Bronagh to take card payments via telephone and we will communicate this when it is made available to us.
• Communications – we are aware that there have been many communications to members, particularly in the past two weeks.  We intend to continue to provide updates as and when possible, and wish to assure you that we will continue to communicate any valid information.

Whilst the current situation is regrettable, it has enforced the view that we have an excellent membership base, that we have a strong community feel around our club and that we are happy to pull together in times of difficulty. 

Please bear with us as we navigate the weeks ahead and we all look forward to treading our fairways as soon as possible again.

We thank the Council members and club members, all of whom have assisted us through this process.  There has been a large volume of work attended to and it has taken significant input from many.

Chairperson Hugh McManus, Vice Chair Christine McSparran, Hon. Sec. Kevin McCann, Hon. Treasurer James Kennedy.